Bada Boomz Downtown - Samplers

What: Bada Boomz Sampler
Vessel: Sampler Glasses
Price: $9.00
Where: Bada Boomz Downtown
When: April 25, 2008
Comments: Here's a continuation from the guy's night I had with Brewer McDuff. After dinner at Rock Bottom, we hit Bada Boomz for some good craft beer. We had a great time, with an entertaining bartender (Christopher). There was also a group of folks who stopped in on their way from Atlanta to DarkLord day (it was the next day). For an update on Bada Boomz, check out DIG-B. These are my comments.

Founder's Dry Hopped Pale Ale:

This was an OK beer. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. It had a bit of a smoky flavor, compared to some of the others we sampled. I also gave it another shot at Hot Shotz on 5/3 during lunch. My opinion hasn't changed.

Rating = 4

Mad Anthony IPA:

This seemed more like a pale ale than an IPA. Having said that, it was nice and hoppy. I'd order it again (and again).

Rating = 3

Bell's Hopslam:

Yeah, I really like this beer. The hand pull adds another dimension to it.

Rating = 1

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA:

It seemed to have a smoky aftertaste, similar to the Founder's. It also seemed to have a nutty flavor. I was enjoying it until the aftertaste kicked in. I really didn't like how it finished.

Rating = 4

Stone IPA:

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It was smooth and hoppy. It really seemed to smooth out at the end also. A very nice finish.

Bell's Oberon:

As the bartender, Chris, said - this is just like Blue Moon, but everyone loves it just because it's Bells. I wasn't crazy about this year's offering. There just wasn't too much to it. It tasted a bit like a lager to me. (For the record we sampled all the IPAs after all the non-IPAs).

Rating = 5

Red Hook CopperHook:

The mouth feel on this was a bit slimy, but not necessarily in a bad way. It seems a bit like Budweiser, but more "funky" (in a weird way). I don't think I'd get this again.

Rating = 5

Abita Turbo Dog:

I didn't write down too many notes 0n this one. I might need to give it another chance. My notes say "nutty, watery, but smooth".

Rating = 4 (with a 3 scratched out)

Brugge's Triple De Riple:

I really like this beer. It was pretty solid, but not as good as I remembered it being. Having said that, it was still one of the best of the night.

Rating = 2

3 Floyd's Gumball Head:

This had a nice floral hop profile for a wheat beer. It also had a nice hoppy flavor. Pretty good.

Rating = 3

Founder's Devil Dancer Triple IPA:

Christopher, the bartender, was nice enough to let us sample this one. He was raving about it. It was pretty good. It's an extremely complex beer. It had a nice hop profile, but it was also scotchy, warm and buttery. Evidently the only places this is on tap is at Founder's and at Bada Boomz (although they were almost out of it at Bada Boomz).

Rating = 3

Stone Brewing Co. - 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale

What: Stone Brewing Co. - 06.06.06 Vertical Epic Ale
Type: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $7.99 (23 oz.)
Where: Home
When: April 16, 2008
Rating: 3
Comments: After trying the 2005 Epic Ale, I decided I might as well open this one up and give it a whirl. I enjoyed this one much more than the 2005 version. the 2006 was much darker than the 2005. It was maltier, smoother and I didn't notice any alcohol flavor like I did in the 2005. Now I feel obligated to track down the 2007 and give it a try. Any suggestions on where I might find it. I didn't really look for it at the Crown in Fishers, but I don't remember seeing it.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stone-060606-vertical-epic-ale/60065/

Stone Brewing Co. - 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale

What: Stone Brewing Co. - 05.05.05 Vertical Epic Ale
Type: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $8.49 (23 oz.)
Where: Home
When: April 14, 2008
Rating: 4
Comments: I stumbled upon this beer at Crown Liquors up in Fishers (great store, by the way). I wasn't paying very close attention and just assumed this was the most current version of the Anniversary brew. Well, after I opened it I realized, nope - its from 2005. I decided to crack it open while doing some work (ya know, for the real job). Once it warmed up a bit, the flavors really developed. Unfortunately what also developed was a pretty strong alcohol flavor. It has the flavor of something that's been in a bourbon barrel. I'm normally not a fan of this type of beer, but this one is pretty decent.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stone-050505-vertical-epic-ale/46629/

Stone Brewing Co. - Arrogant Bastard Ale

What: Stone Brewing Co. - Arrogant Bastard Ale
Style: American Strong Ale
Vessel: Pint Glass
Price: $5.00
Where: Badaboomz (Northside)
When: March 20, 2008
Rating: 3
Comments: Hoppier than expected. Smooth and tasty. It's a good change of pace. If I saw this on a menu and looking for a beer I know I'll enjoy, this would fit the bill. The marketing is a bit pretentious, but if you can get past that, it's not too bad.
Ratebeer Link: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/arrogant-bastard-ale/1315/